The Last Victory
A film about the passionate struggle of a small Italian community in Siena to win the town’s annual event: Il Palio. The honour and respect of the neighbourhood are at stake, as they have not won for years. The Last Victory tells the moving story of their hopes, their personal convictions and their craving for good fortune.
All the year round we follow a few members of the Civetta ‘clan’ closely, who have dedicated their lives to their district. From Egidio, the 92-year-old sage, to 21-year-old Paolo, who grooms the horse and is totally committed. Only four days before the race, a lottery decides which horse is selected for the district. This horse is then paraded through the city as if it were a god. It symbolises Fate that will decide the future of the district.
The Last Victory is about the hopes and the fluctuating fortunes of a small but passionate community. It reflects the different layers of Italian society: its traditions, its religion, its politics and its love of sport.
Director: JOHN APPEL
Producer: CARMEN COBOS
Photography: Erik van Empel
Sound: Mark Wessner
Editor: Mario Steenbergen
Music: Wouter van Bemmel
Sound: Design Hugo Dijkstal
Research & idea: Yoeri Albrecht
Associate producer Judith Vreriks
A Cobos Films production in co-production with IKON TV
Made with the participation of The Dutch Cultural Broadcasting Promotion Fund, CoBO Fund and The Dutch Film Fund. In association with YLE Teema, SBS-TV Australia and Televisió de Catalunya
Versions: Italian with English or Dutch subtitles, colour, 52 or 88 minutes
Copyright: 2003 Cobos Films BV / IKON TV
Award for best director, Infinity Festival 2004, Italy
Grand Prize for the Best film, 2004
Ismailia Film Festival Egypt Dutch Film Award, Best Editing, Utrecht 2004
Dutch Film Award, Best Camera, Utrecht 2004
Krasnogorski festival Grand-Prix 2004
Nominations:
Competition for the Joris Ivens Award, IDFA 2003
Dutch Film Award, Best Feature Documentary, Utrecht 2004
European Film Academy Documentary 2004 – Prix Arte
